Portrait of Himself

Thou lofty mirror, Truth, let me be shown
Such as I am, in body and in mind ; —
Hair plainly red, retreating now behind ;
Of stature tall, head bent and looking prone ;
A meagre body on two stilts of bone ;
Fair skin, blue eyes, good air, nose well defined,
Mouth handsome, teeth such as are rare to find,
And paler in the face than king on throne.

Now harsh and bitter, pleasant now and mild ;
A quickly rous'd yet no malignant foe ;
My heart, and mind, and self, never in tune ;
Sad for the most part, then in such a flow
Of spirits, I seem now hero, now buffoon ; —
Man, art thou great or vile ? — Die, and thou'lt know.